According to Daily Post, the attack occurred on Thursday, July 28 when the UN delegation, and other donor agencies heading to an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama on an intervention mission were ambushed by Boko Haram insurgents.

Speaking on the attack a source said: “Boko Haram fighters numbering over 50, armed with anti aircraft gun (machine gun mounted on open truck), suddenly emerged just after Kawuri village and rained bullets on the UN motorcade.

“One of the officials confided in me that the soldiers saved the day. They fought with everything they had until Boko Haram retreated into the bush. This would have been a great embarrassment to Nigeria.

“Four of the soldiers and driver of one of the UN vehicle was hit. The person beside the driver took control of the vehicle. If not, it would have been disastrous for the occupants.

“Some officials sustained minor injuries, no lives lost. All survivors are presently at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital.”

Confirming the attack on the UN team, the army spokesman, Col Sani Usman, in a statement said two soldiers and 3 civilians were wounded in the ambush, among whom were staff of United Nations agencies and other international humanitarian organizations.

He said the wounded have been evacuated to University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri and they are in stable condition.

Meanwhile, as Nigeria continues to win the fight against Boko Haram, the United Nations has accused the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram of what they called the “almost unimaginable” violence and brutality in Nigeria.

The UN humanitarian co-ordinator, Stephen O’Brien said the actions of Boko Haram had forced thousands to flee and left unprecedented numbers in need.

The UN in its estimate says that more than nine million people in the regions affected by Boko Haram need humanitarian assistance.